The Bee’s Stanislaus District Player and Coach of the Year candidates after Week 7

Quinton Hamilton
·6 min read

The 2023 high school football season is in the midst of league play, which means just as quickly as the new year came, the regular season is almost over. Entering Week 8, there have been a number of standout performances from players on offense and defense, and a number of Stanislaus District football players have some of the best numbers in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

At this midway-ish point, we put together a list of Football Player of the Year and Coach of the Year candidates. The award winners will be named after CIF State Championships. Statistics from MaxPreps helped us compile this list, but there is a reason the final award isn’t handed out until after the season. Yes, playoffs matter. A lot. A player’s impact on his team and helping produce postseason success will be a major factor. It’s not unusual for a player to shoot into the POY picture after a strong postseason.

Coach of the Year candidates range from those who are traditionally successful, those finding success in new roles and those spearheading a program’s first great season in years. Coaches with great records this season include Andrew Beam at Escalon (5-1), Roger Canepa at Central Catholic (4-2), Rob Cozart at Patterson (5-1), Phil Grams at Ripon Christian (5-1), Shaun King at Hughson (4-2), Frank Marques at Hilmar (4-2) and Jeremy Plaa at Downey (5-1).

Another coach who has found success this season is Rod Smith Sr. at Johansen (5-1), who has led the Vikings to their best start overall and in their league in recent years. Garrett Martin has replaced coaching legend Trent Merzon at Oakdale and has coached the Mustangs to a 5-1 record.

The Player of the Year race includes athletes on offense, defense and two-way stars as well. Here’s a look at the candidates so far.

Caden Bailey, RB/DB, Hilmar

The reigning TVL champions have a gem in Bailey, who recently made the switch from quarterback to running back. He ranks 11th in the section in rushing yards (807) and has eight rushing touchdowns. The junior already has more carries and rushing yards than he did last season, when he took over as the starting quarterback, with four more regular season games.

Jeremiah Bernard, WR/DB, Modesto Christian

The Crusaders have another season in which they have to do a lot with a little. With around just 22 players, the Crusaders have been in nearly all of their games at halftime and have a 2-4 record. A Cal Poly commit, Bernard has played well again this season after leading the section in receiving yards in 2022. Quarterback Ross Widemon’s primary target, Bernard tops the section with 910 receiving yards and is second in the SJS in receiving touchdowns (12). On defense, he has 22 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Tek Garcia, RB, Johansen

Garcia is on pace to break school records, according to Johansen coach Rod Smith Sr. With injuries to key returners in the backfield, Garcia has had a breakout campaign. He leads the section in rushing yards (1,165) and adds eight touchdowns. He has helped make the Vikings relevant again, leading them to a 5-1 start and a 3-0 Western Athletic Conference record heading into a Week 8 matchup with last season’s league champion, Los Banos.

Tek Garcia, 8, of Johansen High works his way up field Friday Sept. 1, 2023 night against Bear River at Johansen.
Tek Garcia, 8, of Johansen High works his way up field Friday Sept. 1, 2023 night against Bear River at Johansen.

Sam Jimenez, WR/DB, Escalon

On a team so well rounded, anyone from Escalon would make a great Player of the Year candidate. From quarterback Donovan Rozevink to running back Josh Graham to do-it-all tight end and defensive end Ryan Lewis. But it is a receiver/defensive back who has come on as of late to steal the show. A team that traditionally sticks to the ground game, Escalon in its past two games opened up the offense, and Jimenez has benefited. The junior had three touchdowns in a win over Oakdale and helped convert key third downs in the Cougars’ TVL opener against Hughson. On the season, he has shined with 367 yards and six touchdowns offensively and 20 tackles with a team-high three interceptions defensively. He also averaged 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and two steals on the basketball team last winter.

Michael Marsden, RB, Gregori

Marsden’s carries are up in his senior year, and so is his production. He is on pace for career highs in carries, rushing yards, yards per game and touchdowns. In Gregori’s six games this season, he already has matched his career high in 100-plus-yard games (5). He ranks sixth in the section in rushing yards (930) and has nine touchdowns. He is one of five players in the top 10 in rushing yards who average over 155 yards per game.

Michael Marsden, 23 of Gregori works his way upfield with Tarell Johnson, 24, of Turlock High working his way over Thursday Sept. 28, 2023.
Michael Marsden, 23 of Gregori works his way upfield with Tarell Johnson, 24, of Turlock High working his way over Thursday Sept. 28, 2023.

Max Medina, QB, Patterson

Though just a sophomore, Medina is in his second season as Patterson’s starting quarterback and has made noticeable progress. He ranks 14th in the section in passing yards (1,116) and has 14 touchdown passes with just two interceptions. Combined with a pair of talented running backs in Jeremiah Lugo and Coby Joseph who have combined for over 1,000 yards, Medina’s abilities as the Tigers’ signal caller gives their offense a balanced attack. He also plays baseball, hitting .342 as a freshman last season.

Aiden Muhammad, RB, Enochs

Another talented running back out of the CCAL, Muhammad ranks ninth in the section in rushing yards (846) and is one of six players in the top 10 in rushing yards with 10-plus touchdowns (11). Enochs coach Tracey Traub says one way Muhammad has improved this season is his ability to find holes opened up by the team’s offensive line of two guards, two tackles and a center. He names all of them with a smile and no hesitation.

Enochs’ Aiden Muhammad runs the ball during the non-league game with Buhach Colony at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Muhammad rushed for five touchdowns in the Eagles 54-8 win.
Enochs’ Aiden Muhammad runs the ball during the non-league game with Buhach Colony at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Muhammad rushed for five touchdowns in the Eagles 54-8 win.

Joseph Ramirez, WR/QB, Downey

Ramirez was the Knights’ leading receiver in Week 1 with five catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns, then played the next four weeks at quarterback after an injury to starter Carson Lamb. Ramirez finished his four-game stint at quarterback with 818 passing yards and six touchdowns and 398 rushing yards with a pair of scores. In his return to receiver, the dangerous deep threat received the ultimate respect from Pitman High: double coverage nearly all game.

TP Wentworth, QB/DB/DE, Central Catholic

A three-year starter at QB, Wentworth has seen his role expand on defense this season. On offense, few throw a better deep ball than the 6-foot-5 senior, who has 924 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, he has made big plays this season, rotating between safety and defensive end. He had a one-handed interception against the Sac-Joaquin Section’s top team, St. Mary’s, in the Holy Bowl and forced and recovered a fumble against NorCal’s top team, Serra of San Mateo. A three-sport athlete, Wentworth plays basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring. He is a Clemson baseball commit.

  • Did we miss anyone? Keep us updated at qhamilton@modbee.com.